Louisa Chan

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Archives for June 2011

Understanding Mobile Phone Users – What That Means To You

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Understanding Mobile Phone Users
Mobile Web Sites For Mobile UsersThere are more people using smart phones and tablets (such as iPad II and Samsung Galaxy). And that is a big market whose demographic and users habits we want to understand.
Google did a study conducted by Ipsos OTX, an independent market research firm on “The Mobile Movement: Understanding Smartphone Consumers.”
The results are based on studies done at the end of 2010. It is based on 5,000 US mobile phone users.
If you are interested to better understand how mobile phones are used in your user’s daily lives and how they are influenced by their phones in the way they look for information, research, shop and respond to mobile advertising, watch this short and informative video.LINESPACE


If you have a business or a brand or if you have an online presence, it is now time to think about setting up a mobile site so your visitors on smart mobile phones can find and see you on their mobile devices.
You want them to be able to visit your landing pages, see your offers (products and services) and leave you their contacts (email or phone numbers) in exchange for future updates, tips and freebies.
Websites are great and you need to be thinking about setting up mobile presences because of the growing trend and the impact it can bring to your business.
Thinking of setting up a mobile site?  A mobile landing page? Building a mobile database (so you can continue to communicate with your market via their smart phones) or getting your mobile shopping cart ready? Just get in touch and contact us.
If you find this post helpful, feel free to pass this on to your friends and remember to leave me a comment or two. To get more tips on social media you can get a free report on Mastering Social Media In 1 Hour A Week Here.

Mobile Marketing: How To Scan A QR Code Or A 2D Barcode

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How Do You Scan QR Codes

How To Scan A QR Code
How To Scan A QR Code

I wrote about what QR Codes are in my previous post; my niece’s Nintendo has QR Codes / 2D Barcodes, and how we can decode these codes.
And since I have some questions raised about the purpose of having these codes and how one can interpret these codes, I am putting together a video and some additional explanations that will provide some clarifications.
If you see QR Codes and you want to know what information or data these codes are representing, you can do either of the following:
1 -Snap a photo of that code with your phone – any phone with a camera will do
2 -Download a free QR Code reader here
3 – You can now use the newly downloaded application to read your QR Code.
The decoded QR Code will bring you to a source of information, either a website, an image, a text or a video.
Or you can
1 – Download the free QR code reader onto your phone first
2 – Launch that application and use it to snap a photo of the QR Code
3 – The decoded QR Code will bring you to the same source of information.
You can watch this short video here – the part I took with my flip camera was not very clear and I was not able to keep the screen still (I was trying to demonstrate using my left hand as my right hand was holding the flip camera!).  But I hope you can see the demonstration as I stepped you through the process of scanning these codes.

How To Scan QR Codes or 2D Barcode

The purpose is to get information quick and easy. One scan of the QR code and it can tell you where a product is made (if code is on packaging).  I use a QR Code on my business card; one scan and you’ll have my website, contact details in your mobile phone for easy reference.
There are many applications for these codes and your marketing agent will be able to help you tap into the power of these codes. I can safely say that these 2D barcodes will be popping up more on printed material, T-shirts, stationery, restaurant menus and product packaging. Look around and you’ll see more of them popping up near you.
If you find this post helpful, feel free to pass this on to your friends and remember to leave me a comment or two. You will probably also like our free report on How To Master Social Media In 1 Hour A Week.

My Niece's Nintendo Has QR Codes / 2D Barcodes

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My niece’s Nintendo has QR Codes

 

Synergy Marketing Pro Facebook Page
Synergy Marketing Pro Facebook Page

My niece was playing with my iphone and asked why I take photos of square codes (the ones you see on the top left corner).

I explained the basics of QR Codes to her and demonstrated how this 2D Barcode works. She listened quietly.

Next morning, she asked me where she can find the application for scanning these QR Codes. She had found a QR Code that came with her Nintendo and wanted a firsthand experience of scanning it!

I pointed her to a free QR Code generator and she took to it like a duck on water! Since then, she has been experimenting with and helping me check in on Foursquare as well as updating my Twitter tweets and Facebook statuses using my mobile phone.

It all seems to come very intuitively to her. No wonder the teens and youth take to Social Media so easily!

OK, coming back to QR codes, so what are they? What do they do? Why would use them? And how do you make sense of or decode those weird looking square thingy? Basically these were the questions she asked me.

So let’s tackle this one by one.


What Are QR Codes?

There are called Quick Response Codes as they can be read and decoded quickly by a cell phone. Sometimes also referred to as 2D barcode.These 2 dimensional barcodes encode data horizontally and vertically (hence 2D) and can therefore store much more data then the conventional barcodes.

What Do They Do?
These codes store compact information. On being decoded (after being scanned with a mobile phone or a decoder) it can link you to a source of information whether in text, an image or to a URL. So for example after you scan a 2D barcode your hand phone app may  bring you to a certain website.

Who Would Use Them and Where Can We Find These Codes?
Off line, we see these codes in magazines, text book covers, flyers, business cards, posters, T shirts, mugs, stationeries and yes even bill boards. You can also stick QR codes on product tags and packaging (for product description), basically anywhere that wants to store information.

QR Codes bring offline visitors to web sites, fan pages, event pages, coupons, and YouTube channels, to your online stores and websites. They can also bring those on mobile devices to offline local business stores. They are truly bridging the gap between offline and online.

QR codes allow you to bring a load of information to your customer in a quick and convenient way. With these 2D Barcodes, mobile phone users no longer need to type in long URLs (I can never type using those tiny qwert keyboards) and once scanned the data is stored in your phone for future reference. How convenient is that?

How Do You Make Sense Of Them?
You do not need any high tech, chunky hand-held scanner to decode these. If you have a mobile phone a with a camera you are ready to go. To decode these codes just follow the steps here:

1 – Go here to download the matching QR decoder for your phone model
2 – Activate the application (by tapping on the app) and snap a photo of a QR code (try the one on top left corner)
3 – It will read and decode the data and bring you to the pre-programmed destination page.


 

QR Code With Transition Page
QR Code With Transition Page

Sometimes, it may bring you to a transitional page (if you scan this QR code you will know what I mean) but all you have to do is follow instructions. You really can’t go wrong.

So the next time you see this funny looking square thing, just take out your mobile phone, snap a photo and let your decoder bring you to a place where more information is given for a product or service.

If the information or relevant and important to you it now stays in your phone and you can access it anytime you like. Isn’t that cool? Mobile devices make life easier and more fun.

If you find this article helpful, feel free to pass this on and remember to leave me a comment or two or sign up for our newsletter here.


Sticky Mobile Coupon – Are You Offering Your Clients The No-Hassle Digital Coupon?

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Mobile Coupon Stays And Does Not Require Clipping!

Most people are attracted to a special offered by vendors or service providers. They are more willing to try new things or use services and products that they would normally save up for special occasions like Birthdays and Anniversaries.

Customers look out for and diligently clip printable coupons from magazines or newspaper. These days there are digital and electronic coupons that you can add to your grocery cards as well as great deals based on aggregate sales offered by Groupon (who works in partnership with the vendors and takes a cut of the fee from the vendors).

But I am not talking about those.

As a service provider, whether you are an online or offline business, whether you are providing physical products or services to your clients, you are now able to provide them with a quick and convenient way of using your discounts offers – without having to pay any partners any fees. And that is through mobile coupons.

And you do not need any special software or subscribe to any costly service (unless you want to offer video coupons – which is really cool and I can get you those as well). And your clients do not need to go through lengthy process of entering in names and zip codes nor do you need to remember to carry any cards around.

All your clients really need is their mobile phone. Yes, if you clients carry and use mobile phones you can now offer them hassle free mobile coupons which they can redeem anytime before the expiration date that you set.

Here’s are some ways you can execute this:



Mobile Coupon for Synergy Marketing Pro
Mobile Coupon for Synergy Marketing Pro

 
If you have a Google Place Page, you are already “mobile coupon” ready. All your clients need to do is to visit your Google Place Page and tab on the offer link and your mobile coupon will appear (as shown).

Here’s an example of a mobile coupon: www.budurl.com/JuneCoupon – click on this if you are on a PC or tab on the link if you are seeing this on your mobile phone. And that’s all you’ll need to do!

Mobile Coupon For Synergy Marketing Pro
Mobile Coupon For Synergy Marketing Pro


Isn’t that easy?

Details are all given on their mobile phone and all they have to do is to present that mobile coupon to you when they visit your store/business centre.

They will not need to enter any information, not need to cut out anything nor remember to bring any cards. all they need is their mobile phone and your mobile coupon URL.


Convenience and Stickiness of Your Mobile Coupon


Another thing you can do very easily is to offer Foursquare Specials – especially if you are a local business with a store front. These are not difficult to implement – if you have the expertise.

So get in touch with your marketing agent and have them set up mobile coupons for your prospects and clients and see your sales increase!

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About Louisa Chan

Louisa is an Author, Content Strategist, Coach and Trainer. She helps you build rewarding businesses so you have the time to serve bigger purposes.

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